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In these pages, I have compiled guides and information that I believe will be a help to the roleplayers of GemStone III.  If you're looking for formulas, you've found the wrong place; if you're looking for character creation guides, you've found the wrong place (with the exception of Jacinto's Guide to Swinging Many Times).  I don't look down upon those who compile such things (believe me, I've used enough of them myself!) but this webpage is devoted to a different purpose... and those who do compile such things have done a better job at such than I could ever do.

5/4/03 Update:
    Until further notice, this site will not be updated.  As you can see, it's been almost a year since I last updated it, and my real life has become so twisted and tangled that I no longer really have time to play, let alone work on my website.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to send me various submissions, and may your travels be long and prosperous in the magical land of Elanthia.
        By my hand,
            Tanager Skydancing CorFine

7/6/02 Update:
    Wow, is this update overdue!
    It seems I'm set in my ways; I'm still using Netscape Composer even though I hate the new version and must create new files by opening the old ones and saving them under new names (as Netscape Composer 6.2 has never heard of templates) and even though I must find my fonts and sizes through opening old pages, copying, pasting, and then changing the text.  At this point in time, if it isn't a free download, I won't be using it.  This is an excellent argument for learning to write HTML by hand.
    Now that you're past the complaints, here are the updates:
        Firstly, there's an entirely new section under Creative Work and Commissioned Work-- Elanthian Sonnets: Portraits in Verse .  You might love it, you might hate it, but it's there either way.
        Secondly, an essay of mine written for the Order of Lorekeepers is here, namely, A Song, a Rose, a Star, and a Dream: The Arkati and House Loenthra
        Thirdly, there's a new improvisational round down in Memories, this one being from Revelry and Rhyme 2002-- "Pick the Pockets of Luukos!" .
        Fourthly, there's a new humor page, Cholen's Chorus .  Despite the name, this is wholly OOC.  Find it in the future under the Too Beautiful to Fade heading, just above Memories-- scroll down to see where.
        Fourthly, I have updated the " Who is Tanager Skydancing? " section.
        Fifthly... there are a few minor but long-awaited changes to the site which I hope will aid in navigation, though they do not extend through the entire site at this time.
        Sixthly, there is a page about my RL wedding , because, well, I got married and I am happy about it.
    Enjoy!

3/22/02 Update:
Through all of February, I was overwhelmed with life outside Elanthia.  In the beginning of March, my wisdom teeth were removed.  Midway through March, I was forced to update from Netscape Composer 4.2 (a very fine program) to Netscape Composer 6.2 (don't even get me started, I can probably complain for an hour.)  I'm still in the process of searching for a new webpage-builder, but haven't located one I like yet.  In other non-Elanthian news, Nethack 3.4.0 is out, which means I will be a slow webpage updater for a while.
    As a result, there is really only one brief update to announce-- the newly added Tattoos of Elanthia , which can normally be located under the Item Design section in Creative Work and Commissioned Work.  All the things that I promised would be showing up with updates routinely have been duly updated, though the update was on 3/12-- if you sent a letter for a suggestion or addition that arrived after 3/12, it will be in the next update, and not in this one.
    Also, I'm going to start taking a list-- if you'd like to know when I update this site, write me a note at the usual address with the Subject heading "Update Me!"

I'm toddling back to bed now....

Too Beautiful to Fade : This brief essay serves as an introduction to these pages, and helps explain the title.

A few thoughts... My chance to voice an opinion on whatever topic is currently on my mind.

Site News of the Past: In case someone wants to see past Site News.  (Not sure why you'd want to see it, but someone might be curious.)

Who is Tanager Skydancing?   Some information about your gracious (or, in the views of some, graceless) hostess.

Who is the shadow behind Tanager Skydancing?   A brief profile and some information.  If you'd rather leave the shadow faceless, this is a section not to read.

Item Design : A guide to item alteration as well as examples of existing designs of mine found in both GemStone III and DragonRealms.  The famous (or infamous!) Hall of Fame, Hall of Shame, and Dress to Impress pages may be found here.

Poetry and Songs : I am a member of Lord Dagor's Minstrelry, and, as a result, I have spent a great amount of time pondering songs and ballads.  A number of songs original to me as well as several submitted works written by others are here collected for your enjoyment.  The songs and poems in this library are open to performance by other artists.

Elanthian Sonnets: Portraits in Verse .  A series of short poems focused around various people and situations.  These pieces are not open to performance by other artists.

The Art Gallery :  Herein you may find character artwork and artwork related to GemStone III and DragonRealms.

A Song, a Rose, a Star, and a Dream: The Arkati and House Loenthra is a treatise on the relationship between the Elven House and their Arkati patrons.

A Minstrel's Guide to Performance describes one approach to achieving polished choreography, helping you to pick up those Showmanship points at Bardfest... or anywhere else you'd care to perform.

Tanager's Guide to the Strategy and Etiquette of Hunting is, well, exactly what it sounds like.  No statistics here, and limited mechanical discussion, but quite a few tips and pointers on the matter.  This will be of most use to the beginning player of GemStone III, though anyone experiencing hunting difficulty may find it useful.

Jacinto's Guide to Swinging Many Times is a guide to the art of multi-opponent combat.

An Elanthian Language of Flowers is an Elanthian version of the highly romantic Victorian language of flowers.  Recognizing the difficulties inherent in finding many flowers in Elanthia, a lexicon of flowers and gems is included here as well.

The Art of Runic Divination will provide some direction for those who seek the wisdom of Jastev and Lumnis but find themselves baffled in their search.

Translating the Elanthian Calendar may be helpful to some unaccustomed to Elanthian time measurement.

Acantha, Blaeston, and Cranberry: Elanthia's Native Flora offers detailed descriptions of the plants that may be foraged and found in Elanthia.

From Aardvark On Down: Elanthia's Native Fauna offers a detailed description of the animals that may be found in areas that I have explored thus far or learned of through reading or rumor.

The Elanthian Citizenship Registry tells you who in Elanthia lives where.  Very useful for tracking people down-- or avoiding them.  This registry can only be effective with contributions-- so please drop me a note and let me know where you live!

Here I Go Ambling Down to the Poorhouse, or, Tanager's and Nofret's Guide to Standard Shopping .  Prices on this shopping guide are finally in, thanks to Lady Nofret!  ...though the full city listing is not yet complete.

Cholen's Chorus : A few humorous snippets observed in Elanthia.

 Memories : Recorded here are descriptions and transcripts of various happenings in Elanthia, whether they were public occurrences or known only to a select few.

Records : Here you will find important, interesting, and diverting records, including such things as notes on the winning submissions of past Four Winds contests, snow galleries from the Four Winds 5101 Winter Solstice, and the 5101 CHE Solstice Tree.

Announcements : Births, adoptions, engagements, marriages, divorces, and deaths are recorded herein.

Goodbyes and Regrets : From those remaining to those departed, or from those departed to those remaining.

Searching Beyond : links to Elanthia websites that I have found particularly interesting or useful.

Coming Attractions : a list of the things that don't yet exist, or not in any completed form, but hopefully will in time.

Contact me!   Comments, suggestions, contributions, criticisms, compliments, advice, requests-- everything goes to the same place.  More than half the areas of this website are intended for constant expansion, and I truly wish this website to include the experiences and contributions of as many Elanthians as possible.  That does mean you-- so if there's anything at all you'd like to let me know, please drop me a note!

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